Verdict

Mont Ras rattled up a hat-trick last year in lower grade events and the lightly-raced five-year-old has scope for further improvement this season, though he hasn't raced since July. In contrast, CROWN COUNSEL ran no-less than 19 times last year, winning on three occasions, and has a recent outing at Kempton under his belt. His two length defeat in better company off a 5lb higher mark over C&D in September stands out and a repeat would see him go very close. He's preferred to stablemate Kingscroft, who finished a couple of lengths behind third placed Reve De Nuit at Lingfield last Saturday, while Richard Fahey runs three with Kay Gee Be making most appeal of the trio. Shamdarley and Perfect Cracker should go well, but Captain Bertie has a bit to find with the selection and both Weapon Of Choice and Snow Bay make more appeal.

Formwatch

Kyllachy Star 4-1fav (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Greensward (8-13) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sep.

Crown Counsel (IRE) 4-1fav (8-12) Led soon joined, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 3l behind Piscean (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.

Weapon Of Choice (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, every chance over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon strongly challenged, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Oceanway (9-4) at York 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.

Kiwi Bay 22-1 (8-11) Dwelt, in rear, some headway over 1f out, never nearer, 10th of 21, 10l behind Bonnie Brae (8-11) at Doncaster 7f hcp 105 (2) sft in Nov.

Leviathan 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division on inside, steady headway 4f out, ridden when hampered on inside well over 1f out, soon weakened, 16th of 19, 21l behind Taqleed (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gd in Sep.

Perfect Cracker 4-6fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Tislaam (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.

Redvers (IRE) 80-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Mia's Boy (8-11) at Doncaster 7f cond Stakes (3) gd in Oct.

Prince Of Burma (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Piscean (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.

Snow Bay 10-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 16th of 18, 22l behind Vainglory (8-4) at York 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.

Kingscroft (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind George Guru (8-4) at Lingfield 1m hcap (2) pol.

Reve De Nuit (USA) 7-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 8, 2l behind George Guru (8-4) at Lingfield 1m hcap (2) pol.

Mont Ras (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 18, 1 1/2l behind Norman Orpen (9-6) at York 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jul.

Kay Gee Be (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, staedy headway on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, strongly pressed and ran on inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 15, ns behind Fantasy Gladiator (9-1) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Oct.

Miami Gator (IRE) (10-10) 3rd of 8, 5l behind Sequoia (11-0) at Compiegne(FR) 1m stk sft.

Arabian Spirit 14-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, 6th early, no extra 2f out, 17th of 18, 45l behind Sharestan (9-4) at Curragh 1m Extended Handicap (4yo+).

Pat's Legacy (USA) 8-1 (9-1) Chased leaders on outside, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 6l behind Piscean (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb.

First Post (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Took keen hold early, chased leaders, went 3rd approaching final 2f, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 3rd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Patriotic (8-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.

Shamdarley (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, went 2nd and sustained run inside final furlong, stayed on to lead close home, won at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct beating Musnad (8-4) by 1/2l, 19 ran.

Norse Blues 15-2 (9-5) Held up in touch, closed over 4f out, ridden 2f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 6l behind Songburst (8-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.

Mullins Way (USA) 5-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 3l behind Knowe Head (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.

Captain Bertie (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 21, 14l behind Bonnie Brae (8-11) at Doncaster 7f hcp 105 (2) sft in Nov.

Tevez 11-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, pushed along on inside over 3f out, never on terms, 11th of 13, 19l behind Patriotic (8-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.